Services

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Naturalization (US Citizenship)

The naturalization process is the pathway for lawful permanent residents (“green card” holders) to become U.S. citizens. Applicants must meet several requirements, including being at least 18 years old, having lawful permanent resident status for a specified period, demonstrating continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S., and possessing good moral character. Additionally, applicants must pass English language and U.S. civics tests and take an oath of allegiance to the United States.

  • Once approved, applicants are granted U.S. citizenship, allowing them to enjoy the full rights and responsibilities of being a U.S. citizen.

Services

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Naturalization (US Citizenship)

The naturalization process is the pathway for lawful permanent residents (“green card” holders) to become U.S. citizens. 

  • Applicants must meet several requirements, including being at least 18 years old, having lawful permanent resident status for a specified period, demonstrating continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S., and possessing good moral character. Additionally, applicants must pass English language and U.S. civics tests and take an oath of allegiance to the United States. Once approved, applicants are granted U.S. citizenship, allowing them to enjoy the full rights and responsibilities of being a U.S. citizen.

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Immigration Court / Removal (Deportation) Proceedings

Removal proceedings in the United States are legal processes where the government seeks to remove (deport) a noncitizen from the country. These proceedings begin when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issues a Notice to Appear (NTA), which is filed with an immigration court. The noncitizen, referred to as the respondent, must attend hearings before an immigration judge from the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). 

  • During these hearings, the judge determines whether the respondent is removable based on the charges in the NTA. The respondent has the opportunity to contest the charges and apply for relief from removal, such as asylum or cancellation of removal. If the judge finds the respondent removable, they may issue a removal order, allow voluntary departure, or grant relief and allow the noncitizen to remain in the United States. Decisions can be appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

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Immigration Court / Removal (Deportation) Proceedings

Removal proceedings in the United States are legal processes where the government seeks to remove (deport) a noncitizen from the country. 

  • These proceedings begin when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issues a Notice to Appear (NTA), which is filed with an immigration court. The noncitizen, referred to as the respondent, must attend hearings before an immigration judge from the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). During these hearings, the judge determines whether the respondent is removable based on the charges in the NTA. The respondent has the opportunity to contest the charges and apply for relief from removal, such as asylum or cancellation of removal. If the judge finds the respondent removable, they may issue a removal order, allow voluntary departure, or grant relief and allow the noncitizen to remain in the United States. Decisions can be appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

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Adjustment of Status (“Green Card”)

The adjustment of status process allows individuals already in the United States to apply for a green card, officially known as lawful permanent residency, without having to return to their home country. This process is typically preferred over consular processing due to its convenience and the ability to remain in the U.S. while the application is pending. Applicants may receive employment authorization and travel documents during the process. 

  • Once approved, the applicant becomes a lawful permanent resident and receives a green card.

    For those outside the U.S., consular processing is the alternative, where the applicant applies for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate in their home country. This involves an interview with a consular officer. Upon approval, the applicant receives a visa packet to present at a U.S. port of entry, where they are admitted as a lawful permanent resident and later receive their green card by mail.

    In summary, the adjustment of status is a convenient option for those already in the U.S., while consular processing is necessary for those applying from abroad. Both processes ultimately lead to obtaining a green card, granting the holder permanent residency in the United States.

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Adjustment of Status (“Green Card”)

The adjustment of status process allows individuals already in the United States to apply for a green card, officially known as lawful permanent residency, without having to return to their home country. 

  • This process is typically preferred over consular processing due to its convenience and the ability to remain in the U.S. while the application is pending. Applicants may receive employment authorization and travel documents during the process. Once approved, the applicant becomes a lawful permanent resident and receives a green card.

    For those outside the U.S., consular processing is the alternative, where the applicant applies for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate in their home country. This involves an interview with a consular officer. Upon approval, the applicant receives a visa packet to present at a U.S. port of entry, where they are admitted as a lawful permanent resident and later receive their green card by mail.

    In summary, the adjustment of status is a convenient option for those already in the U.S., while consular processing is necessary for those applying from abroad. Both processes ultimately lead to obtaining a green card, granting the holder permanent residency in the United States.

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ICE Detention

Navigating the complexities of ICE detention can be daunting, but effective legal representation can make a significant difference. Our firm is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal support to noncitizens in ICE detention. We ensure that detainees are informed of their rights and have quick access to our zealous and aggressive legal team and resources.  

  • Our experienced team is committed to advocating for humane treatment and fair legal proceedings, addressing issues such as prolonged detention, mental health considerations, and family impacts. We work tirelessly to challenge unjust treatment nd secure the best possible outcomes for our clients.

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ICE Detention

Navigating the complexities of ICE detention can be daunting, but effective legal representation can make a significant difference.

  • Our firm is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal support to noncitizens in ICE detention. We ensure that detainees are informed of their rights and have quick access to our zealous and aggressive legal team and resources. Our experienced team is committed to advocating for humane treatment and fair legal proceedings, addressing issues such as prolonged detention, mental health considerations, and family impacts. We work tirelessly to challenge unjust treatment nd secure the best possible outcomes for our clients.

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Asylum / Withholding of Removal / CAT Cases

The Rios Immigration Law Firm has been proudly representing asylum applicants in the United States for decades. Asylum is a form of protection available to individuals in the United States who are unable or unwilling to return to their home country due to past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution. This persecution may be based on one of five protected grounds: race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

  • Asylum applicants must demonstrate they meet the definition of a refugee, showing either past persecution or a credible fear of future persecution on a protected ground. Asylum seekers can apply affirmatively with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or defensively in immigration court if they are in removal proceedings.

    Successful asylum applicants can live and work in the U.S., apply for lawful permanent residency after one year, and potentially bring family members through derivative asylum. Asylum is a critical protection mechanism for those facing serious threats in their home countries, providing a pathway to safety and stability in the United States. Let the Rios Immigration Law Firm fight hard for you and your loved one’s safety and security through the asylum process.

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Asylum / Withholding of Removal / CAT Cases

The Rios Immigration Law Firm has been proudly representing asylum applicants in the United States for decades. 

  • Asylum is a form of protection available to individuals in the United States who are unable or unwilling to return to their home country due to past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution. This persecution may be based on one of five protected grounds: race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

    Asylum applicants must demonstrate they meet the definition of a refugee, showing either past persecution or a credible fear of future persecution on a protected ground. Asylum seekers can apply affirmatively with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or defensively in immigration court if they are in removal proceedings.

    Successful asylum applicants can live and work in the U.S., apply for lawful permanent residency after one year, and potentially bring family members through derivative asylum. Asylum is a critical protection mechanism for those facing serious threats in their home countries, providing a pathway to safety and stability in the United States. Let the Rios Immigration Law Firm fight hard for you and your loved one’s safety and security through the asylum process.

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Family-Based Immigration Visas

At the Rios Immigration Law Firm, nothing is more important than family, and our team works very hard to reunite or keep families together in the United States. Family-based immigration is a key component of the U.S. immigration system, allowing U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to sponsor eligible family members for immigrant visas. This process helps reunite families and provides a pathway for relatives to join their loved ones in the United States.  

  • Family-based immigration is essential for keeping families together and involves understanding specific eligibility criteria and documentation requirements to ensure a successful application. Let the Rios Immigration Law Firm bring all of its experience and caring to work on your family based immigration case.

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Family-Based Immigration Visas

At the Rios Immigration Law Firm, nothing is more important than family, and our team works very hard to reunite or keep families together in the United States. 

  • Family-based immigration is a key component of the U.S. immigration system, allowing U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to sponsor eligible family members for immigrant visas. This process helps reunite families and provides a pathway for relatives to join their loved ones in the United States. Family-based immigration is essential for keeping families together and involves understanding specific eligibility criteria and documentation requirements to ensure a successful application. Let the Rios Immigration Law Firm bring all of its experience and caring to work on your family based immigration case.

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Federal Court Immigration Litigation

The Rios Immigration Law Firm has a distinguished history of litigating immigration cases in Federal Courts. Such litigation involves challenging decisions made by immigration authorities in U.S. district and appellate courts. These cases often arise when individuals seek judicial review of deportation orders, denials of immigration benefits, or violations of constitutional rights. Unlike immigration court, federal court litigation addresses legal errors, procedural due process, and statutory interpretation. 

  • It plays a critical role in holding the government accountable and ensuring fair treatment under the law for noncitizens. Let the Rios Immigration Law Firm analyze your case to see if it should be fought at the Federal Court level, and if it should, let us fight the good fight for you.

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Federal Court Immigration Litigation

The Rios Immigration Law Firm has a distinguished history of litigating immigration cases in Federal Courts. 

  • Such litigation involves challenging decisions made by immigration authorities in U.S. district and appellate courts. These cases often arise when individuals seek judicial review of deportation orders, denials of immigration benefits, or violations of constitutional rights. Unlike immigration court, federal court litigation addresses legal errors, procedural due process, and statutory interpretation. It plays a critical role in holding the government accountable and ensuring fair treatment under the law for noncitizens. Let the Rios Immigration Law Firm analyze your case to see if it should be fought at the Federal Court level, and if it should, let us fight the good fight for you.

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Employment Based Immigration

Immigrant employment-based permanent immigration to the United States allows foreign nationals to obtain lawful permanent residency through job opportunities. This process involves several visa categories, each tailored to different types of workers and skill levels, the most common being, but not limited to: EB-1, for priority workers such as individuals with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors or researchers, and multinational executives or managers; EB-2, for professionals holding advanced degrees or individuals with exceptional abilities in their field; EB-3, for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.

  • Non-immigrant employment-based immigration to the United States allows foreign nationals to work temporarily in the country under specific visa categories. These visas are designed for individuals who have specialized skills or are employed in certain professional fields. Key non-immigrant work visa categories include, but is not limited to: H-1B, for professionals in specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or higher; L-1, for intracompany transferees who work in managerial or executive positions or have specialized knowledge, this visa allows employees of international companies to transfer to U.S. offices; E-1 and E-2 Visas, for treaty traders and investors from countries with which the U.S. maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation; and TN Visas, for Canadian and Mexican professionals under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), formerly NAFTA.

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Employment Based Immigration

Immigrant employment-based permanent immigration to the United States allows foreign nationals to obtain lawful permanent residency through job opportunities.

  • This process involves several visa categories, each tailored to different types of workers and skill levels, the most common being, but not limited to: EB-1, for priority workers such as individuals with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors or researchers, and multinational executives or managers; EB-2, for professionals holding advanced degrees or individuals with exceptional abilities in their field; EB-3, for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.

    Non-immigrant employment-based immigration to the United States allows foreign nationals to work temporarily in the country under specific visa categories. These visas are designed for individuals who have specialized skills or are employed in certain professional fields. Key non-immigrant work visa categories include, but is not limited to: H-1B, for professionals in specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or higher; L-1, for intracompany transferees who work in managerial or executive positions or have specialized knowledge, this visa allows employees of international companies to transfer to U.S. offices; E-1 and E-2 Visas, for treaty traders and investors from countries with which the U.S. maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation; and TN Visas, for Canadian and Mexican professionals under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), formerly NAFTA.

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Investment-Based Visas

Investment-based visas have been one of the Rios Immigration Law Firm’s top areas of expertise for over fifty years. These vias offer a pathway for foreign nationals to obtain residency in the United States by making significant financial investments in U.S. businesses. These visas are designed to stimulate economic growth and create jobs for U.S. workers.

  • For example, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allows investors to obtain a green card by investing a minimum of $1,050,000 in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least ten full-time jobs. A reduced investment of $800,000 is required if the investment is made in a targeted employment area, which includes rural or high-unemployment regions.

    The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is available to nationals of treaty countries, this nonimmigrant visa requires a substantial investment in a U.S. business. The investment must be sufficient to ensure the successful operation of the enterprise and must not be marginal, meaning it should generate more than just a living for the investor and their family.

    Investment-based visas are an attractive option for entrepreneurs and investors seeking to contribute to the U.S. economy while gaining residency benefits. Understanding the specific requirements and processes for each visa type is crucial for a successful application. Let the Rios Immigration Law Firm guide and represent you through the complexities of these visas.

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Investment-Based Visas

Investment-based visas have been one of the Rios Immigration Law Firm’s top areas of expertise for over fifty years.

  • These vias offer a pathway for foreign nationals to obtain residency in the United States by making significant financial investments in U.S. businesses. These visas are designed to stimulate economic growth and create jobs for U.S. workers.
    For example, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allows investors to obtain a green card by investing a minimum of $1,050,000 in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least ten full-time jobs. A reduced investment of $800,000 is required if the investment is made in a targeted employment area, which includes rural or high-unemployment regions.
    The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is available to nationals of treaty countries, this nonimmigrant visa requires a substantial investment in a U.S. business. The investment must be sufficient to ensure the successful operation of the enterprise and must not be marginal, meaning it should generate more than just a living for the investor and their family.
    Investment-based visas are an attractive option for entrepreneurs and investors seeking to contribute to the U.S. economy while gaining residency benefits. Understanding the specific requirements and processes for each visa type is crucial for a successful application. Let the Rios Immigration Law Firm guide and represent you through the complexities of these visas.

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VAWA and U Visas

The Rios Immigration Law Firm has always been a fierce protector of immigrant victims of domestic violence and crimes in the United States. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and U visas are critical components of U.S. immigration law, designed to protect and support victims of abuse and crime. These provisions offer pathways to legal status for individuals who have suffered abuse or have been victims of certain crimes, enabling them to seek safety and stability in the United States.

  • VAWA Self-Petitions allow abused spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to self-petition for legal status without the abuser's knowledge or consent. This empowers victims to escape abusive situations without risking deportation.

    The U visa is available to noncitizens who have been victims of certain serious crimes, such as domestic violence or sexual assault, and have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse. Applicants must have been helpful, or are likely to be helpful, to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

    VAWA and U visas provide essential protections and opportunities for victims to rebuild their lives in the U.S., contributing to safer communities and supporting law enforcement efforts. Let the Rios Immigration Law Firm protect you and fight for you if you have been victimized in the United States.

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VAWA and U Visas

The Rios Immigration Law Firm has always been a fierce protector of immigrant victims of domestic violence and crimes in the United States.

  • The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and U visas are critical components of U.S. immigration law, designed to protect and support victims of abuse and crime. These provisions offer pathways to legal status for individuals who have suffered abuse or have been victims of certain crimes, enabling them to seek safety and stability in the United States.
    VAWA Self-Petitions allow abused spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to self-petition for legal status without the abuser's knowledge or consent. This empowers victims to escape abusive situations without risking deportation.
    The U visa is available to noncitizens who have been victims of certain serious crimes, such as domestic violence or sexual assault, and have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse. Applicants must have been helpful, or are likely to be helpful, to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.
    VAWA and U visas provide essential protections and opportunities for victims to rebuild their lives in the U.S., contributing to safer communities and supporting law enforcement efforts. Let the Rios Immigration Law Firm protect you and fight for you if you have been victimized in the United States.

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Experienced Representation in All Immigration Law Matters

At the Rios Immigration Law firm, we proudly represent clients in all areas of immigration law—from family-based petitions and employment visas to deportation defense and federal litigation. Whether you're seeking asylum, permanent residency, citizenship, or facing removal proceedings, we provide knowledgeable, compassionate, and strategic advocacy every step of the way. Your future in the United States deserves dedicated legal support—let us stand with you.  

  • Let the Rios Immigration Law firm bring its combined 250 years of experience and empathetic zealous advocacy to bear in all your immigration law matters. It will be our utmost pleasure and honor to represent you and your loved ones.

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Experienced Representation in All Immigration Law Matters

At the Rios Immigration Law firm, we proudly represent clients in all areas of immigration law—from family-based petitions and employment visas to deportation defense and federal litigation.

  • Whether you're seeking asylum, permanent residency, citizenship, or facing removal proceedings, we provide knowledgeable, compassionate, and strategic advocacy every step of the way. Your future in the United States deserves dedicated legal support—let us stand with you. Let the Rios Immigration Law firm bring its combined 250 years of experience and empathetic zealous advocacy to bear in all your immigration law matters. It will be our utmost pleasure and honor to represent you and your loved ones.